Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 22, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Network: FOX
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts: Start, QB1
Jalen Hurts had a strong showing for fantasy purposes last week. His impact on the ground was the needle mover (85 Rushing Yards, 1 Touchdown). He was missing AJ Brown, though, as he struggled as a passer, failing to eclipse the 200-yard mark. The Saints have been a tough matchup for teams this season, and that is not likely to change in Week 3. Expect Hurts to lean on his rushing again this week, which means he shouldn’t fall below the top five quarterbacks this week.
Running Back
Saquon Barkley: Start, RB1
Saquon Barkley‘s incredible season continues as he eclipsed 100 all-purpose yards for the second week in a row. He faces a tough defense in the Saints in Week 3 (100 total rushing yards allowed this season). Barkley is too integral to the Eagles game plan for him to produce a true dud performance. Continue to roll him out with confidence. Behind Barkley there are not enough touches to go around so keep either Kenneth Gainwell or Will Shipley on your bench as elite handcuff options.
Wide Receiver
DeVonta Smith: Start, WR2
DeVonta Smith looks to be the top wide receiver option this week for the Eagles once again as AJ Brown deals with a lingering hamstring injury. He was able to show flashes of what has made him such an elite WR2 option in his early career, finding the endzone while catching 7 of his 10 targets. Week 3 is not a great matchup on paper, but the Saints are going to be without their top corner, Marshon Lattimore, which bodes well for Smith, who is more than capable of beating the next man up for New Orleans. Outside of Smith, there are not any wide receivers who should be in your starting lineups. Goedert and Barkley look to benefit from Brown’s absence as well. If you are looking for a name to watch in this room, it is Jahan Dotson stepping up in the second week without Brown.
Tight End
Dallas Goedert: Start, TE1
Dallas Goedert will get a small bump in weeks that AJ Brown misses time. He was always in the fringe TE1 conversation, and now he is a mid-range TE1. Expect him to see 5-6 targets in Week 3. His ceiling is limited, but his involvement should be all but guaranteed. I don’t see him finding the end zone in this one but a 35-55-yard performance is well within his range of outcomes.
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Derek Carr: Sit, QB2
Derek Carr has been a top-ten Quarterback in each of the first two weeks. Klint Kubiak’s system has done wonders for the Saints’ offense and their veteran signal-caller. Carr is a phenomenal Tua Tagovailoa replacement in Week 3. Averaging 220 passing yards and 2.5 touchdowns per game, Carr could have streaming viability through Week 11, though he falls just outside my top 12 QBs for this week as QB13.
Running Back
Alvin Kamara: Start, RB1
Alvin Kamara gave us a vintage Kamara performance in Week 2. Kamara posted nearly 200 yards and four touchdowns against a strong Dallas defense. He is a staple in lineups right now, and the Eagles’ defense (which allowed the 15th most points to opposing running backs) should not deter fantasy managers at all.
Wide Receiver
Chris Olave: Start, WR2
Rashid Shaheed: FLEX Option
Chris Olave was so close to having a much better day in Week 2, getting tackled at the one-yard line. His target share jumped from 8% to 37% from Week 1 to Week 2. He is firmly in the WR2 conversation this week against the Eagles, who have allowed the second most points to wide receivers this season. Olave is the more reliable option for the rest of the season, even though Rashid Shaheed is the big play threat. Shaheed is a great option in the FLEX this week because of how well he has adapted and been utilized in Kubiak’s new system. Feel free to play him ahead of running backs like Zack Moss, D’Andre Swift, and Devin Singletary.
Tight End
Taysom Hill: Sit
Taysom Hill is dealing with a chest injury that may limit him or even force him to miss the game this week. Either way, he has not been as effective in the Kubiak system even though he has been on the field more than some expected. His value has been as a running back. The issue is the volume. Avoid Hill for the foreseeable future.